Americans love our bottled water, and it’s a good thing, too, because our bodies use this essential liquid in every one of their cells. When you use more water than you take in, you’re going to get dehydrated, a frequent problem with many adults. Discover these five benefits from monitoring your daily water intake.
Getting to Know Your Body’s Cooling System
Because water is so good at transferring heat, our bodies use it to regulate our temperature. Water can absorb a lot of heat before its temperature rises, so it’s the ideal substance to act as a buffer against sudden changes in temperature. Our blood, which consists of 20 percent of the body’s total water, moves heat away from our hands and feet when it needs to conserve heat, and water vapor in the form of sweat helps to release excess heat.
It Helps You Lose Weight
Drinking plenty of water can have a real impact on your weight-loss program. Water is entirely calorie and fat-free. It will help you burn more resting calories, as much as 30 percent within 10 minutes of downing a big glass. These added metabolic boosts can last up to an hour. Substituting one glass of water for a 20-ounce sugary soda every day will save you about 240 calories. Water may even help to suppress your appetite when you drink it before meals because thirst signals from your brain are often mistaken for hunger pains.
You Love Beautiful Skin
It’s a fact that our skin is full of water. Dehydration will make your skin look dry and wrinkled because water helps plump up your skin and can make wrinkles more “filled in.” Plus, collagen — the protein that keeps your skin’s firmness and elasticity — needs water to work effectively.
When your skin is hydrated and elastic, you’re less likely to develop cracks that could let in any external particles that could cause irritation. Drinking water may also help keep acne away by better balancing out the oil and water on your skin’s surface.
A water intake tracker lets you set a goal of how much water you want to drink a day so that you can take better care of your delicate skin.
You Can’t Think Without It
Water plays a vital role in sending electrical messages to your cells so that your muscles can move, your eyes can see, and your brain can think. Even a measly 1 percent dehydration can negatively affect your attention span and short-term memory. As the fluid in your brain tissue decreases, so does your motor coordination. Take advantage of a simple water tracker with a drink-water reminder app to keep mental fatigue at bay.
Water Can Improve Your Mood
If you find yourself on the cranky side, or maybe you have a nagging headache, then you may suffer from mild dehydration. In one study published in Appetite, the more water that college women consumed, the better their mood, energy levels, and overall satisfaction. Downing a big cup of the wet stuff will help to fix any dehydration issues so that you can move on with your day.
Water is essential for a finely tuned, fully functioning human body. It regulates your body’s cooling system and keeps everything in good working order. If you’re thirsty, listen to your body’s cues and get yourself a drink of water.
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